MTB shoes... need advice?

[anabanana]

I need to get new MTB shoes. I'm looking at the Sidi Women's Dominator 5 MTB shoes. Does anyone have these? My road bike shoes are Sidi's but they're men's shoes. They fit great. Should I get the men's MTB shoes as well?

Can anyone recommend any other brand?

Thanks!

[Irulan]

Get what fits!!

The only advice I have is to get a shoe with a soft sole, and not a race type mountain biking shoe. Having done more than my share of hike-a-bike in both kinds, the softer shoes wins hands down. With a hard sole, they suck for HAB and if you are on any kind of rock, they can be downright treacherous for HAB because the hard sole just slides.

I have a Specialized Taho that I just love, but it's always personal preference.

[Aggie_Ama]

I wear Specialized Riatas, a relatively inexpensive shoe ($80-100). I fairly happy with them although I will say my narrow foot could use a narrower heel. Try on multiple brands if possible. I find Specialized a good bang for the buck but if they don't fit comfortably than it isn't a good deal! If you are wearing men's Sidis you may find the women's too narrow.

[Drtgirl]

I've used Dominator's for years and love them. But it depends on what you're using them for. Hike a bike or adventure racing? Get a soft soled one. Racing? Go with the Dominators. Try on both the men's and women's version if you can.

I don't think Dominators hold up well to constant abuse though. i bought a pair last year, used them for cyclocross, muddy winter training and a few MTB races and they are pretty beat up.

[anabanana]

Thanks for all the advice. I live in Atlanta and most stores don't have the Sidi's in stock. So I'd have to order them online. I'll check out the others you mention. Maybe I can find those locally. I'd like to be able to try on the shoe.

[Drtgirl]

Try REI or Performance Bike if you have one nearby...the ones near my house carry Sidis.

[tzvia]

I used to ride the original Sidi Genius shoes back in the day... Loved them. But I don't know, either Sidi got even thinner, or my feet got fat because their current shoes feel a little tight to me, and I go up 1/2 size to get a little more toe box. Currently, I have Bullet 2s and they are only ok. The soles flexed a bit too much and hurt my arches so I bought Specialized WM80s. The soles are fiber and stiff but not too stiff, and are aggressive enough to be good for hike-a-bike areas. The toe-box is wider than Sidi, and that makes my toes happy. I love them. At first, I was reluctant to buy them because they are friggen WHITE. WHITE. But they wash like a dream in 5 minutes and dry none the worse for wear. I also have Shimano road shoes and use them over my Sidi Zyphers. That they cost less is icing on the cake...

[pink monkey]

i would second the softer sole recommendation. the soles on my shoes are so stiff that i can't even climb the extremely steap hills on foot. I slip and fall everytime and i use to be able to run up the hills in trail running shoes.

[atombessy]

I have Pearl Izumi X-alp Enduros and I like them quite a bit. Definitely a less racey shoe and pretty widely available.

[Aggie_Ama]

We have 3 REIs and all carry the Pearl Izumi mountain bike shoes. They look really cute but they lace. I am not sure how I would like that? They are very cost friendly for bike shoes.

[atombessy]

My PI's are velcro and the top strap ratchets down...no laces! I think the lace versions of the x-alp are less expensive though, but I haven't tried them...

[rocknrollgirl]

I need to get new MTB shoes. I'm looking at the Sidi Women's Dominator 5 MTB shoes. Does anyone have these? My road bike shoes are Sidi's but they're men's shoes. They fit great. Should I get the men's MTB shoes as well?

Can anyone recommend any other brand?

Thanks!

I have them and I love them.

[Voodoo Sally]

I have the Sidi Dominators and I love them. The newer models have a slightly softer material for the lugs on the sole. But those suckers are really expensive.

So, I also highly recommend the Lake MX85-W. I have these also and I love them. And, they are really the best deal in town. So cheap, yet so well-fitting and long-lasting. They also have soft, rubbery lugs.

[sundial]

.....so I bought Specialized...

Specialized shoe lover here. I have the pro mtb for the road bike, Taho for the lazy dazy summer rides.

What's nice about Specialized is that you almost never have to break them in. The only thing I change is the insole.

[GumbyGirl]

Oh my Gosh I am sooooo in love with the Sidi Women's Dominators. I have last year's model and I am amazed at how much they can take and still look and wear great. I have had a few crash outs and the ratchet lever was sticking out after one. I thought for sure it'd be completely broken, but it I flicked it back down and they were none the worse for wear.

I had huge probs with the softer soled/hiking type styles (had Specialized Tahoes) - lots of toe numbness and arch problems. With the Sidi's they fit like a dream and no pain or numbness. I have never had an issue with HAB in the Sidis, have not found it any more difficult/easy than with the Tahoes.

They are expensive and I also had difficulty with trying on a pair, but the importer in Australia was brilliant and offered to send them direct to me (estimated the correct size from our telephone conversation) to try on and send back for an alternate size if needed. Turned out they were perfect, but moral of the story, don't be afraid to ask for them to help you out. You are spending a lot, and if they aren't stocked in a LBS near you (or anywhere in the big city of Sydney!!! ) then they gotta help ya!

Good luck